Joint Statement for Enhanced Political Finance Transparency

The 10th Session of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Conference of the States Parties (COSP) will take place in Atlanta, USA on 11-15 December 2023. The conference gathers global leaders to advance the implementation of the Convention and set a common vision for the future anti-corruption work. Ahead of the conference, International IDEA co-drafted a joint statement with International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Transparency International, UNCAC Coalition Secretariat, and Westminster Foundation for Democracy in order to urge the UNCAC signatories to enhance political finance transparency. More than 100 organizations have signed the statement. 

The statement highlights the importance of transparency in the funding of political parties and election campaigns (Article 7.3 of the UNCAC) as one of the key anti-corruption drivers. In the face of persistent and widespread political finance scandals across the world, the statement also calls on the States Parties to further prioritize and enhance political finance transparency as part of the UNCAC framework.

In particular, the statement makes a compelling case for the following areas to be part of the Conference resolutions in order to strengthen Article 7.3 of the Convention:

1) Closing loopholes for illicit funds in politics.

2) Introducing digital reporting and disclosure systems for political finance data.

3) Improving oversight and accountability of political finance regimes.

4) Promoting knowledge, civic engagement and public participation.

5) Strengthening international cooperation.

The full statement is available here. International IDEA, together with the Government of Chile, the Carter Center, IFES, and Transparency International, will also organize a special event on political finance transparency as part of the UNCAC COSP 10 on 11 December 2023.